Obit: Hales, Kathleen “Katie” Mary (1939 - 2021)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hales, Gundlach, Biddick, Ritter, Handke. Brookhart, Sides, Moore, Zimmerman

----Source: Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/22/2021

Hales, Kathleen “Katie” Mary (23 February 1939 – 20 October 2021)

Kathleen “Katie” Mary Hales, age 82 of Granton, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at the Marshfield Health Services Nursing Home – Marshfield.

Kathleen was the daughter of Roscoe and Iris (Gundlach) Biddick born on February 23, 1939, in Livingston. She was baptized in 1950 at Bashford Methodist Church Madison, and later reaffirmed her baptism at Zion American Lutheran Church, Granton in 1962.

She received her education through the Madison School System graduating from Madison East High School in 1957. She then attended the University of Wisconsin – Platteville and graduated in 1961. While participating in a freshman “social dance” class, she met the love of her life – Albert “Bert” Hales. They were united in marriage on December 16, 1961, at Bashford Methodist Church.

Kathleen taught school at Marshall Elementary. After the birth of her daughter; Grace in 1963. Katie and Bert moved back to Granton to take over the family farm. She was a very devoted and loving wife and mother of 5.

Katie was an active member of Zion American Lutheran Church, Granton and friend of York Center Methodist Church. She taught Sunday and Bible School for many years. She was involved with the Ladies Aid (W/ELCA) and held various positions. She helped serve many dinners and was on the “150th Anniversary” Committee of the church. She was a member of the Granton FFA Alumni and New York Homemakers. In 1984, Katie became an “elf” working for Figi’s Gifts, Inc. She continued working there until June of 2015.

Katie, like her husband, enjoyed the simple things of life. She enjoyed cooking, baking, nature, listening to old country music, going to musicals, playing dominoes, card games, putting puzzles together and being with her children and grandchildren and always putting others’ needs first before hers.

Survivors include her children: Grace (Clark Ritter), Plainfield; Jay, Granton; Eileen (Iyron Handke Jr.); Granton; Sonya (Ken) Brookhart, Granton; and Joel (Frankie Sides) New Bern, NC. Her grandchildren: Josh (Gillian) Irwin, Plainfield; Emma Mae Brookhart, Granton and her sister, Betty (Bob) Moore, Dousman. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bert (October 30, 2009), her sister in laws and brother in laws.

Funeral Services for Katie will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at the Zion American Lutheran Church in Granton. Pastor Daniel Zimmerman will officiate. Music will be provided by Shelby Niskanen, organist. Interment will be in the Windfall Cemetery in Granton. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday at the Zion American Lutheran Church. A livestream of Katie’s funeral service can be seen at www.geschefh.com beginning at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Katie’s family with Funeral arrangements.

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Kathleen "Katie" Mary Hales, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.